If the name Martin McDonagh is unfamiliar to you, perhaps "In Bruge" or "The Banshees of Insherin" may ring a bell. McDonagh's "The Pillowman" (2003) pulls no punches. As you may recall from the two aforementioned movies viloence is a driving factor. There's a dark sort of glee in the way McDonagh manipulates his characters in all of his efforts and this play is no excepetion.. Ouch.
It's over two and a half hours long. Ouch.
Ektelo Theatre Group lands at The Broadwater with a very ambitious idea.. Daniel T. McCann''s set is bare bones stark with black "jaws?" featuring jagged edges that foreshadow what's to come. As the audinece enters the ominous scene reveals Katurian a blind folded. Steven R. O'Brien as Katurian is seated. He is listening. He is bewildered.
One has to applaud this band of thespians on a couple of fronts. First, Martin McDonagh doesn't pull punches and though we are never sure where this scene is set, to be sure politics is involved. And, the cops invetigating unsolved murders of children is not taken lightly. "Bad Cop" Ariel (Paul Ian Stanley) is ready to obliterate the detainee, Good Cop Tupolski, (Donald.T. McCann) runs the show with heft. I like to see actors over thirty. The physical action is convincing.
Kimberly Demarse Steven R. O'Brian
Katuian is a writer. His elder sister, Michal (Kimberly Demarse), is a special needs adult who, with the death of their parents, is now lthe ward of her younger brother. Katurian's stories have been inspired by the depraved treatment that Michal has received from their parents all through both Katurian's childhood. In original productions of The Pillowman, the character of Michal was played by men. I was skeptical that a woman in the role would work. It works. Acoustics in the large Broadwater space made some of the high energy dialogue get lost, at least to me.
High energy prevails.
Exposition, even with the high energy of all four of the actors, is talky and lengthy. The strength of McDonagh's words are still the engine that drives this story.
Brian Allman's direction keeps everything moving. High opening night energy may find a pace as the show matures.
For fans of Martin McDonagh, there may be oblique references from The Pillowman (2003) found in his 2022 film, The Banshees of Inisherin. Chilling!
The Pillowman is a very long play. Arrive early.
Parking may be a challenge if you don't..
THE PILLOWMAN is a fictional play that deals with adult themes of a sensitive nature. Recommended age 16+.
CREATIVE TEAM
Playwright – Martin McDonagh
Director – Brian Allman
Producer – Ektelo Theatre Group
Publicity - Sandra Kuker PR (Sandra Kuker-Franco)
Set Design – Daniel T. McCann
Lighting Designer – Andy Nevarez
CAST
Steven R. O’Brien – Katurian
Daniel T. McCann – Tupolski
Paul Ian Stanley – Ariel
Kimberly Demarse – Michal
VENUE / PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
The Broadwater Main Stage - 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA. 90038
Thursday, April 4 & 11, Friday, April 5 & 12, Saturday, April 6 & 13 at 8pm
Sunday, April 7 & 14 at 3pm
Tickets: $35. Running Time: 145 minutes.
Link to tickets:
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